Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 Anthems From St Albans ( part II ) June 14, 2009
The Wolf (uk)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
By any standard known to man Enter Shikari are a great little band.
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br /I have already expressed my enthusiasm elsewhere in these venerable
br /pages for their 2007 debut 'Take To The Skies'. A stunning first showing.
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br /They make a big, big sound but the unbridled energy is always
br /tempered by a remarkably mature and refined musical sensibility.
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br /The fifteen tracks which comprise their new release 'Common Dreads'
br /create a veritable powerhouse of crackling, ribald electricity.
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br /With 'Juggernauts' they strike a marvelous balance between
br /stirring anthemic harmonies, naive but warm-hearted social
br /commentary and convincingly calibrated hard-edged rock.
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br /This ability to bring potentially conflicting elements together
br /and produce credible and hugely enjoyable soundscapes is a real gift.
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br /'Wall' is another powerhouse track. Mr Rolfe's drums are, here
br /and elsewhere on the album, the glue which keeps it all together.
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br /'Zzzonked' delivers a small nod in Prodigy's direction with the
br /cocky but affectionate knowledge that they are the new kids
br /on this particular block. Fresh paint on an old facade.
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br /'No Sleep Tonight', not unlike 'Jonny Sniper' on their previous
br /release, has a killer chorus and a very fine vocal performance
br /from Mr Reynolds. This lad really can belt out a good tune!
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br /'Gap In The Fence' is as fine a song as we are
br /likely to encounter for the rest of the year.
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br /It's all good. Nothing wasted. Nothing to throw to the dogs.
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br /Blissfully brilliant !
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br /Essential.
Not entering but fully through the door! June 14, 2009
Self Styled Rocker (England)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
In this album Shikari move beyond their first album by miles. The fronts they choose to build on include a greater use of Rou's voice, acoustic, spoken parts, signing, and also the scream/angry vocals. There is a greater focus here on crafting individual songs, they have their own vibe and fill out into the territory chosen for it, for example on Juggernauts there is good use of a different singing style, No sleep tonight focuses on a new musical direction with greater use of synths and programming, with Gap in the fence finally breaking the barrier from Post-Hardcore with Electronics to Enter Shikari stamping their own style on both of these genres and making it their own.
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br /Overall this is not the scream-fest of the last album. Instead pure raw screaming is mixed with a more head smart use of lyrics, topics, vocal impact and overall musical technique. For example Rou's definition of harshness is not just limited to screaming, the electronic parts draw more widely on drum and bass etc and also sampling found in pure electronic music. This effort matches Genghis Tron's effort in its audacity and willingness to embrace all the ingredients and make an unexpected recipe!
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br /This is awesome and will no doubt see a greater abundance of glowsticks and moshing at their next gigs!
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br /See also Genghis Tron, Atari Teenage Riot, Mad Capsule Markets.
Awesome Return June 14, 2009
Mrs. Lorraine Zalewski
After take to the skies it was going to take something pretty amazing to top it. Common Dreads see's shikari take a more electronic approach to their music, while still keeping their hardcore influences. 5/5 stand out tracks....The Jester, No Sleep Tonight and Solidarity.
excellent July 11, 2009
D. Warren
what a great cd from a very talented up and coming band! this is their second cd and second cd's have a tendency to be the down fall of the average artist/band BUT not in the case of common dreads by enter shikari! this is an energetic and intelligent cd that has obviously been made with a lot of passion by the band. great lyrical content if you are into lyrics! in the immortal words of john lennon..."turn off your mind and relax and float down stream" BUY this cd and do just that...this is a great blend of metal/techno and other influences. it is a new direction and is worth it!
Common Dreads July 24, 2009
Mr. R. Skelton (GB)
once again Enter Shikari have managed to tell a stroy through a fast paced, ever changing album. a slight change in direction from take to the skies but a fantastic album none the less. highly reccomeneded
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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